Almost 25,000 to be freed under Myanmar prisoner amnesty

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar announced Friday that it was releasing almost 25,000 prisoners under a presidential amnesty marking this week's traditional New Year celebration.

The release for the Thingyan holiday was announced in a statement from President Win Myint's office. Mass amnesties on the holiday are not unusual, though the number this year was the highest in recent memory.